Request for proposals for implement WRIs Field Verification Protocol across multiple restoration projects Event ID 1140019 Event Type Request for Proposal (RFP) Published Date 3/27/2026 RSVP Date 4/13/2026 Questions Deadline Status Open Submission deadline 4/20/2026 Description REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: SUMMARY OF PROCUREMENT WRI intends to award a fixed price contract for the implementation, development and outputs of the Field Verification Protocol. The contract outputs will include a tree count of existing mature trees on restoration sites, a count of seedlings and saplings on restoration sites, and an assessment report identifying protocol effectiveness, with delivery expected in four to six months. About the World Resources Institute Founded in 1982, The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRIs transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future. About WRIs Field Verification Protocol Context and Rational Verification in the context of TerraFunds Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system involves reviewing project-reported information periodically to ensure its completeness and reliability. Verification ensures credibility of TerraFund MRV data, enhances trust with funders and partners, aligns with WRIs goal of robust assessment of project outcomes, and provides restoration champions with an endorsement of their data quality. Verification is crucial for credibility and trust in TerraFunds MRV system, ensuring accurate data for restoration projects. While remote sensing is used where possible, a Field Verification Protocol will be employed for projects with challenging characteristics, aiding in tree counting and baseline assessment. For example, some projects have characteristics that make it more challenging to count trees from satellites, such as a closed canopy or lack of available cloud-free imagery. For these projects, we will implement a Field Verification Protocol to sample and extrapolate the number of planted trees on a TerraFund project site. The Field Verification Protocol will also be used to count the number of mature trees existing on a TerraFund site at baseline. Definitions Concentrated Project A project with relatively fewer and larger restoration areas. The average size of each restoration area is greater than 3 hectares and there are fewer than 50 total restoration areas. Distributed Project A project with relatively more and smaller restoration areas. The average size of each restoration area is less than 3 hectares and there are more than 50 total restoration areas. Multipolygon A collection of multiple polygons, saved as one file, with a common set of attributes. Each polygon in a multipolygon (or row in the attribute table of a multipolygon) is known as a feature. Can also be called a multi-part polygon. Project The entire geographic area where WRI and partners have paid a project developer to restore land. A project can consist of a single restoration area or of multiple restoration areas. Site The basic unit for organizing and reporting biophysical data on TerraMatch. It is a single restoration area, or a grouping of restoration areas based on proximity and/or common characteristics. A site may contain multiple target land use systems, restoration practices, and tree distributions, but is always specific to a single planting year. Target Land Use System The land use system(s) that will exist after 6 years of project implementation, not the current state of the land or the state of the land as it transitions to its final use. These comprise of Agroforest, Mangrove, Natural Forest, Open Natural Ecosystem, Silvopasture, Riparian Area / Wetland, Urban Forest, and Woodlot / Plantation. See the Polygon Creation Guidance for definitions of each system. Target Tree Distribution This denotes how trees will be spread throughout the site after restoration work has concluded. These comprise of single line, partial coverage, and full coverage. See the Polygon Creation Guidance for definitions of each distribution. Restoration Strategy The specific practice(s) employed to grow trees to make progress toward a target land use system. These comprise of tree planting, assisted natural regeneration, and direct seeding. See the Polygon Creation Guidance for definitions of each practice. SCOPE OF WORK AND ACTIVITIES /DELIVERABLES The overarching scope of this work is to implement WRIs Field Verification Protocol across multiple restoration projects, collecting mature tree and sapling count data on sampling plots within restoration sites in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ghana. Bids may be submitted for individual regions or all regions, with preference given to bidders that can operate across all four countries. The Field Verification Protocol is provided below. The total number of plots will range from 2,157 to 4,311 hectares (ha) and will vary between projects. For privacy concerns, exact location of projects and plots to be shared later in the RFP process. Note, Restoration Sites: Country Region Number of plots Number of hectares Ghana Ashanti 41 82.01 Ghana Western 157 1385.76 Ghana Ashanti 40 93.38 Ghana Ashanti 16 74.32 Kenya Rift Valley 24 54.53 Kenya Eastern 43 383.64 Rwanda Rusizi 123 510.51 Steps for Data Collection Establish Sample Plots in the field WRI will provide GPS points of plot centroids of sampling plots for each project using a predetermined random distribution method. Plot ID Naming Scheme: Format:"ProjectName_SiteNameOrNumber_PlotNumber" Example 1: "RwandaRestoration_1_1" for the first plot in the first polygon in the Rwanda Restoration project. Example 2: "GhanaRestoration_Ashanti_12" for the 12th plot in the Ashanti site of the Ghana Restoration project. Record Data In each sample plot, counts of the trees/saplings must be recorded following the instructions below. Use the template below to record data. Extrapolate Results Counts from each sample inventory plot should be extrapolated to total project area. Total project area and associated polygons will be provided. Plot Description Plots will be randomly distributed across projects using a predetermined method to cover approximately 5% of total project area (Figure 1). WRI will provide sample plot centroids. See attachment: Figure 1: Example of plot centroids placed randomly within a project boundary. In this example the total plot quantity has not yet been adjusted to meet the 5% area coverage. Sampling plots are 900m2, where all baseline trees and planted saplings are recorded. Field crews have the option to choose between using a circular plot with a radius of 16.92m (Figure 2) or a square plot where each side measures 30m. It is recommended to use the circular plot for open canopy plots where there are not very many trees, and square plot in densely vegetated plots. The total area of each measured plot equals 900m2. See attachment: Figure 2: Circular plot with a 16.92 radius (900m2). For densely forested areas, a square plot can be used. Each side of the square plot is 30m for a total area of 900m2. Data Collection and Tools In each sample inventory plot, counts of the all baseline trees and saplings must be recorded. If a tree straddles the boundary of the circular plot, include and record it. Count baseline trees separately from saplings planted for TerraFund. For projects implementing ANR as a restoration strategy, field technicians should 1) count the total number of trees with a height greater than 6 inches and 2) confirm the intervention is in place and is as described in the project planning documents. The same numbers and descriptions will be collected at endline and compared to the baseline/early insights results. Details about project restoration strategy and intervention will be provided ahead of field data collection. If a project is implementing both ANR and tree planting on a plot, field technicians should 1) count the total number of trees with a height greater than 6 inches, 2) verify that the intervention is in place and is as described in project planning documents and 3) do their best to distinguish and count the number of planted saplings. The same numbers and descriptions will be collected at endline and compared to the baseline/early insights results. For ANR projects doing removals of invasive species, the invasive species should not be included in any field verification counts at any time. Field technicians should familiarize themselves with the species slated for removal to ensure it is not included. Additional information on differentiating between planted saplings and existing short vegetation and commonly planted species can be found in the Appendix. Data Collection Template Data should be recorded following the template below in KoboCollect or a similar field data collection app. Data Collected Options Data Type Notes Site Information Date Date Organization Name Text Site ID Text Project type Tree planting, ANR, Tree planting and ANR Select from list Sampling Timeframe Baseline/EV, Year 6 Select from list Plot Information Plot ID Text Plot shape Circle, Square Selec Tender Link : https://www.wri.org/about/procurement-opportunities
